Each year Fine Tastings for Al Sigl Community gets better and better. The event started as a small get together of 25-50 friends and has blossomed into a robust evening with over 300 guests, 20 tastings and local artists. “Fine Tastings is a class act event. I love that it features regional food and beverage vendors and local artists. Al Sigl always has a way of bringing the whole community together to celebrate abilities and raise money for a great cause,” said Ryan Kelly, Director of Development for the agency.

Talented husband and wife duo Cordell and Rachel Cordaro [photographed above] have been donating to and volunteering with the agency for several years. “They get involved beyond just donating a piece for the silent auction. They believe in the mission of Al Sigl and bring the good work we do to life,” continued Kelly. The Cordaros, along with Zilla’s Queen, will have their artwork on display at the event. A percentage of their sales will be donated back to the agency the night of the event and they have created signature pieces for auction to represent their unique connection to the agency and the event. When asked why they get invovled the Cordaros will tell you ”Rochester has shown the ability to support artists, and because of our own successes we in turn choose to give back.”

This painting by Cordell Cordaro will be in the silent auction on September 18th

Tomorrow , from 6:30 am until 11:30 pm, Myself , the Foodlink staff and volunteers will be stationed at Tops stores throughout Rochester for our annual Food for Families event as part of the week-long food and fund drive. We will be huddled out in front of the Mt. Read, Brighton, Penfield, and Irondequoit Tops stores, asking shoppers to help Foodlink top the donations we received last year: 49,000 pounds of food, and $50,000!

If you can’t get out to make a donation, or to just say hello, you can catch live coverage throughout the day from WROC-TVand FOX Rochester. You could also check out the online auction as another way to support Foodlink. Local retailers donated an array of goods! For the complete list click here.

In years past school bands and choruses have stopped by the stores to lift spirits and entertain the frozen-to-the-bone Foodlink staff and volunteers, if not also the shoppers coming and going. This year Santa will once again be at the Mt. Read Tops around 5pm! And, if you have never had the opportunity to meet Foodlink’s mascot, Cool Can or the other Rochester sports teams’ mascots, stop by the Mt. Read Tops around 1 pm. This Friday is a big day for Foodlink, we hope to see you out in the community!

A local couple, Chris & Michelle Hayes, are hosting an annual softball tournament to raise money for the March of Dimes in memory of their two children Caiden & Kaylie. Every year in the US over 500,000 babies are born too soon. The mission of the March of Dimes is to help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the lives of babies.

24 teams have registered for the softball tournament on May 19th, 2012. The game will be held at Cobb’s Hill Park and although registration is closed Chris & Michelle invite everyone to come out and watch the games, and/or join them at Jeremiah’s Tavern from 11:00 to 8:00. They will have a Chinese auction with over $2,000 in prizes. Prizes include: $100 gift card to Wegmans, 2 full day passes to Darien Lake, one year family membership to the Seneca Park Zoo, restaurant gift certificates, $200 gift certificate to White Tiger Tattoo, and much more.

On May 20th Michelle & Chris will be walking for the March of Dimes at Ontario Beach Park in the March for Babies. Sign up for the walk or help Michelle reach her goal of $600!

I like to think Rochester is one of the best cities in America for pub crawling. Sure, other cities may have larger pub crawls, perhaps more pub crawling-friendly weather, but pound-for-pound no other city I’ve lived in seems to love drinking for a cause as much as Rochester.

The pub crawling season kicks off each year with one of the best: the MS Pub Crawl on Monroe Ave! Starting at the Brickwood Grill at noon this Saturday, May 12th, the MS Pub Crawl is an afternoon of socializing in the name of raising awareness and funds for the MS Society here in upstate New York. If you haven’t participated before, this is the year to come check out the festivities. Spread the word, recruit some friends, and come support a great cause!

It’s that time of year again; roll up your sleeves and get sticky… we dare you! Our Habitat Young Professionals are getting ready for their 2nd annual Guest Bartender Happy Hour Fundraiser being held at the South Wedge Colony Bar and Grille on Friday, October 15th from 6PM to 9PM.

Participants will have the chance to assist Colony staff in serving bar patrons and Habitat supporters. No experience is necessary! Here’s your chance to serve up drinks and hospitality for your family, friends and co-workers on a Friday night! Earn the title of their favorite bartender.

Each guest bartender is challenged to join us in Building the Walls of a Flower City Habitat for Humanity home by raising $250 in sponsorships prior to the event. All sponsors will be recognized throughout the event and any donations of $150 or more will receive free advertising for their contributions to future events in 2010-2011! Both corporate and individual sponsors are welcome.

In addition to receiving free advertising and a tax deduction for their sponsors, the guest bartender who raises the most sponsorship money and tips that night will be awarded a PRIZE and will be eligible for other giveaways throughout the event!

Any tips raised during your guest shift will also benefit FCHH. Last year we reached $5,000 and hope to fundraise even more towards our HYP goal of building a Habitat home!

If you are interested in being a guest bartender, email Bethany Cramer at bcramer@rochesterhabitat.org, and don’t forget to practice your flair!

The Rochester's Young Professionals blog is the place to look for the latest updates on the young professionals scene in Rochester, from career advice to networking events.

Contributors

Kate McGowan is a former Rochester television news reporter now working in the non-profit sector for the nation’s leading children’s charity, Make-A-Wish. She is passionate about inspiring young professionals to use their talents in becoming more actively involved in their communities. Follow her on Twitter at @KateMcGowan

Toni Lynn Arena: I am a digital media specialist by day and a fitness loving, animal activist by night. When I'm not working on self-improvement inside and out, I work with other philanthropists to build awareness within the young professional community and help make a difference.

Andrea Raethka earned a bachelor's in History, Sociology and Women's Studies from the College of Brockport. She is a mother of three young children and is always up for exploring new places for kiddie play dates. She enjoys good food, local shopping and keeping up to date on news, politics and public school issues. Find Andrea on Twitter: @Mango1531.

Ashley Dewey is an internet marketing blogger from Victor who shares thoughts about life and pets.

Audrey Burns is a reader, writer and full-time nostalgist who writes about cultural and social issues in Rochester.

Cynthia Pacia shares thoughts about giving and living in the Rochester area.

Eastman Young Professionals share the latest happenings at George Eastman House.

Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals share life and non-profit experiences, and their journey within Rochester’s changing landscape.

Jason Schwingle is a native of Rochester. He shares his thoughts and ideas on bringing young professionals back to Rochester and to downtown.

Jenna Kempie is the Social Media Chair for the Rochester Young Professionals, and is contributing posts on RYP activities and other helpful insights for young professionals in the community. Jenna enjoys getting out and exploring the area, and talking to people about their Rochester experiences, print and technology - on and offline. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaKempie

Jennifer Galvez Caton is an active arts volunteer who shares her passion and perspective on theater, film, dance and music with young professionals in the Rochester area.

Jerome Nathaniel is a 2011 graduate of the University of Rochester, where he was an executive editor for the Campus Times and a service fellow with the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Now, the Brooklyn native has returned to Rochester as an Americorp Vista at Foodlink, where he's serving as a hunger advocate.

Kayleigh Nutting is a non-profit professional that came to Rochester for college and never left. She is a graduate student and works full time planning special events and fundraising. Follow her as she writes about kicking back, giving back and appreciating the Flower City.

Kristine Caronna, a young professional blogger from Greece, shares her thoughts and updates.

Leah Shearer is a young professional and two-time cancer survivor from Rochester. She shares her unique perspective on all things - the serious, the silly and everything in between.

Luticha Doucette is a student researcher, activist and humanist who sees the world from a seated position. She chronicles life as a disable person seeking a PhD. position in biophysics at Yale or John Hopkins universities, and beyond.

Maria Thomas is the chair of RocCity Coalition, who is passionate about education and the needs of city youth. She writes about various opportunities for young professionals to get involved in the community.

Olga Podzorov is an agent with Nothnagle Realtors. She is a community activist and passionate philanthropist who is committed to working with young professionals. She covers a variety of real estate issues.

Ruth Harper-Rhode, a St. Bonaventure University graduate, does public relations for a local nonprofit. She moved to Rochester from a small city in 2011 and lived on Park Ave before moving to Penfield, where she currently resides.

Terra Keller sends updates from the staff at Foodlink, a popular regional food bank.

Stefanie Schwingle is a Rochester native and has worked at Wegmans Corporation for the past 10 years, but her interests lie in entrepreneurship and communication and her passions include urban living, photography, and cooking. Stefanie lives downtown with her husband and loves everyday life in the city.

Taren Greenidge earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science, cum laude, in 2007 from Spelman College and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2010. She is an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C, a U.S.-based international law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in every aspect of labor and employment law. Taren is the president of the Black Young Professionals of Rochester, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc., which targets individuals ages 21 through 40 to foster growth and professional development, to empower members to achieve success and to strive to improve the community.